It is high time I stop balking at portraits of people . It has been a mental block of fear for years.

It isn't that I haven't just adored the remarkable anatomy of the human body , I have for decades. I see detail in strong masculine men and graceful women that I just love.

And admired for years, the old Masters of Italy , paintings of the most tremendous, awe-inspiring work of a lifetime. Their life-sized, marble statues , clothed with flowing folds in robes, or naked, look like they will at any moment, walk off their podium . Rosa Bonheur's huge oil painting, The Horse Fair, took my breath away when I saw it. Her capture of strong, masculine men controlling the huge draft horses , in high-stepping action and excitement, has had me wanting to be half as efficient as herself , for decades.

The human form is, to me, the most intricate, exquisite machine in complexity of design, movement, and a brain with two potentially perfect balancing sides , that when connected well, are the epitome of beauty . The balance of a man and woman cannot be rivaled in the beauty of dovetailed purpose , in every way.

A few here know what a fascination I have with paws...feet...how they move, grasp and modulate in intensity. As music or singing, from volume hard to delicate softness. The human arm, wrist, hand, legs , ankle and feet are mind-blowing in complexity. Faces are just as intricate.

It is all founded on mathematics. All the universe is based on math. Everything we are, and do. The Fibonacci Sequence is about the most jaw dropping education I have ever received, in trying to appreciate it all. And how it relates to the literal measuring of what is a beautiful composure of nature, a face, or body. When I was kindly shown what the FIB sequence is all about, and how it relates to the natural world, I could finally see how my art depends on those foundations . I was simply bowled over, trying to absorb it all.

What we see as beauty, is actually based on math , in correct measurements of skeletal balance of conformation. Of course, we don't think of this when we see beautiful things , but the undercurrent of the design is there.

So, the desire in inspiration to illustrate nice human portraits finally built the fire under me to dive in. I've done toon stuff, for magazines and books, but that never cut it . What did, was an attempt years ago, to capture Tman's beloved Jonathan . That , and a few others , including the logo for the PA rondy years ago, also for the Wisconsin's rondy , this year, the Montana rondy logo, last year, all in pencil, not colour.

I want to share my nervous breakthrough with the peeps here.

It isn't perfect , but it is a start. This is a double obstacle, besides the portrait itself, the highest quality paper demands a completely different technique from my coloured pencils than the other paper types I'm used to. It is great paper, I just need a bit of time to get comfortable with it.

That's ok. I need to run with the big dogs in the portrait industry, posthaste. I am driven with purpose.

So here she is. One of the most beautiful women , to me, that I was inspired to begin . Maybe the Tman Tribe can have a bit of fun, guessing who she is. She has been beloved and known for many decades. And of course , wearing fur is the only way to show beauty. It's ok either way , if she is recognized, or not. If I give any hints at all, all of you will get her ID immediately , so no hinting from me

This is my story of breaking the boundary of fear. Finally. Thank you for viewing .

Lucy

Recognized her instantly....Maureen.

Very nice Sharon and thanks for the education!

Very nice ! What did you use to work from ??

Sir Ken, I used several old photo references , for angles and close ups. This is the main one I went by , for facial features.

You got it, Beav !

Killbuck, Lucy is another beauty . They were all in that generation, it seems.

Wow, that is beautiful Ms. Sharon! I’d say you cracked the code of portraits. I guess I was behind the door when God was giving out talents.

You captured Herself splendidly. What a talent you have!


I see Yourself in many of her movie roles. Both, strong, determined, and beautiful.




Charlie

That is very nice!

Please explain. I understand the sequence in snail shells, some flowers, and the likes, but never heard it applied to a human face. Eager to learn.

Sharon, I thought that photo was of your mom!

(I should add that I've seen a photo of Sharon's mom. )

Dang, you even got the eyelashes spot on!

Very nice work Sharon! I showed my wife and she said that's Maureen.
Now we're watching Parent Trap!

Charles, FIB sequence is found in about everything, from what I've discovered, and I am still trying to grasp in understanding.

The sequence is in everything from cabbages to music to ocean waves. It can also be found in the form of the golden ratio. The Golden Ratio (or "Golden Section") is based on Fibonacci Numbers . Even the body proportions of certain animals, such as sea urchins, ants, and dolphins, follow the sequence. You can see it in action, too: The flight pattern of a falcon attacking its prey follows the spirals reflected in a Fibonacci pattern.

Fibonacci is even reflected in the human body. The shape of an ear , outside and inside , and a clenched fist exhibit the spiral associated with the Fibonacci sequence. Our extremities have other examples of the sequence, too: We have two hands with five fingers (both Fibonacci numbers), and the sections of our fingers are each larger than the preceding section, from the fingertip to the wrist. Human faces whose segments have the golden ratio proportions are considered more beautiful. The closer the sections are to equal numbers, the closer they are to the golden ratio. The measurements of face, eyes, nose, mouth. Even eyes themselves, from what we see, to the interior/rear of the eye. The pentagon , or other such Geometric shapes also make up the summit of face measurement , that artists often use. All based on the FIB Sequence. ( Thanks to the help of sources for the info ).

Gene, everyone has talent. That gives us all different ways to enjoy life in a plethora of creative subjects. You too.

Thank you, all, for your kind words.

Patrice, I DID think of my mother as I did this . You are so spot on in so many ways of ideas and thought. Here's a shot of herself , not real clear, but it shows the similar facial features she has . Her hair wasn't as bright , but a deep red Auburn. She was a very good horseman, sharp shooter , and could sing with the best in music. What a couple. IMO, hardly not another couple as handsome as them .

That is credit to a magnifier visor I wear for fine tuned work. It comes with ground glass lenses in several different powers. When I am serious, I wear it like a headband light.

This picture is 12 1/2 X 9 1/2 inches, so I didn't have a real large area .

Mnsota, glad to have y'all inspired !

That makes the Mona Lisa kind of drab looking.

What a talent!

amazing as is typical of your work. well done

I like seeing pictures like that from back then. Your Dad looks very proud and happy!

First thing I noticed was the eyes...they look right into your soul.

Glad to hear you stepped outside your comfort zone.
Looks like you had the talent all along..and just now stepped up to the plate and let it fly !

Very interesting read too
Way above my pay grade

I agree that portraits are the haahdest to do.

Awesome Job !